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Karunanidhi
Karunanidhi.jpg
Karunanidhi in Chief Minister's office
15th, 12th, 10th, 4th, 3rd Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
In office
13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011
Preceded by Jayalalithaa
Succeeded by Jayalalithaa
Constituency Chepauk
In office
13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001
Preceded by Jayalalithaa
Succeeded by O. Panneerselvam
Constituency Chepauk
In office
27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991
Preceded by Janaki Ramachandran
Succeeded by Jayalalithaa
Constituency Harbour
In office
15 March 1971 – 31 January 1976
Preceded by President's rule
Succeeded by President's rule
Constituency Saidapet
In office
10 February 1969 – 4 January 1971
Preceded by V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (acting)
Succeeded by President's rule
Constituency Saidapet
Personal details
Born
Dakshinamurthi

(1924-06-03) 3 June 1924 (age 101)
Thirukuvalai, Madras Presidency, British India
Political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouses Padmavathi (deceased)
Dayalu
Rajathi
Children M. K. Muthu
M. K. Alagiri
M. K. Stalin
M. K. Tamilarasu
M. K. Selvi
Kanimozhi
Residences Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Muthuvel Karunanidhi (born Dakshinamurthy; 3 June 1924) was a very important Indian politician. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five different times, which is like being the top leader of a state. He was also the head of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, a major political group in the state of Tamil Nadu. He led the DMK party for a very long time, starting in 1969 after its founder, C. N. Annadurai, passed away.

Karunanidhi was born in a place called Thirukuvalai, which was part of Madras Presidency in British India at the time. He was an atheist, meaning he did not believe in a god.

Who Was Karunanidhi?

Muthuvel Karunanidhi was a powerful and influential leader in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. He was known for his long career in politics and his strong connection to the Dravidian movement. This movement focused on the rights and culture of the Tamil people. He was not just a politician; he was also a talented writer, playwright, and screenwriter.

His Early Life and Start in Politics

Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924. His birth name was Dakshinamurthy. He grew up in a time when India was still under British rule. From a young age, he was interested in social justice and politics. He joined the Dravidian movement and started using his writing skills to spread its ideas. He wrote plays and scripts that were popular and helped people understand the political messages.

Leading the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Party

Karunanidhi became the leader of the DMK party in 1969. This was a very important role because the DMK was a major political force in Tamil Nadu. As party leader, he helped shape the future of the state. He worked to promote the Tamil language and culture. He also focused on improving the lives of ordinary people.

Karunanidhi as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Karunanidhi served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times. This means he was the head of the state government. Each time he took office, he worked on different projects and policies.

First Terms as Chief Minister

His first time as Chief Minister was in 1969. He served again in the 1970s. During these years, he focused on social welfare programs. He also worked on improving education and infrastructure in Tamil Nadu.

Later Terms and Continued Leadership

Karunanidhi returned as Chief Minister in 1989, 1996, and 2006. He continued to lead the state through many changes. He was known for his strong speeches and his ability to connect with people. He played a big role in the development of Tamil Nadu. For example, the Anna Centenary Library was built during his time as Chief Minister. He also opened new roads and flyovers to help with traffic.

A Legacy of Public Service

Karunanidhi was a public servant for many decades. He was involved in politics for over 60 years. He was respected for his dedication to the people of Tamil Nadu. He passed away in 2018, leaving behind a significant impact on Indian politics and the state of Tamil Nadu. Many important leaders, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid their respects to him.

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